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But with Kokyuho I can never quite tell what is being said... it doesnt seem as distinct as the latter.

Peace

dAlen

p.s.
It actually blends in with Gokyo depending on who says it.
I had it once where I swore sensei was saying Ko-ky-ho and I asked to make sure and it was Gokyo.
[fact is my hearing isnt the best so that has a part to play with it, but it is most embarrassing to get stuck on a technique thinking it is one thing when its another.]

To be completely accurate, the "u" sound in Japanese is made without rounding the lips. Of course, my Japanese is terrible, but most Americans won't know the difference!

To be even more accurate, the "ko" is a short, clipped sound, not as long in duration as the usual English "oh". Meanwhile, the "ho" is a longer sound, roughly two beats' worth of the first "ko". So the "ko" is a little shorter than normal English "oh", and the "ho" a little longer than the normal English "oh". The "u" of "kyu", incidentally, is also two beats long. Just a smidgen longer than, say, the letter "Q".

Josh Reyer

The lyf so short, the crafte so longe to lerne,
Th'assay so harde, so sharpe the conquerynge...
- Chaucer

That's really helpful, Jun. I year into training I called O'Sensei, Yoo-shee-bah to one of my sensei. He corrected me gently, without any mocking. Still, I was embarrassed. Your great efforts on that section will assist many.

That's really helpful, Jun. I year into training I called O'Sensei, Yoo-shee-bah to one of my sensei. He corrected me gently, without any mocking. Still, I was embarrassed. Your great efforts on that section will assist many.

Drew

k... as for embarrassment I will lay it on the line.
At my test I was so focused on what the visiting/testing Sensei wanted from me on 3 techniques which varied from what I was shown, that I messed up Gokkyo.

I swore I heard him say, "koh key ho", I said, "koh key ho?" - and he nodded yes, and this went on 3 times.
The problem was he said, what I thought, was shomenuchi kokyuho, and I know there is not a technique like that in any of my exams - at least 6th - 3rd kyu.

Then he did a gesture in the air and I was, "ah, Gokkyo!" I was so freakn embarrassed it was crazy!

Then I find out its koh - q - ho [or there abouts!] lol

Anyway, I know the techniques, just not used to hearing them called out. [As mentioned, not much dojo practice on higher level techniques, and the other stuff I do at home from memory, thus I "hear" what I think they are supposed to sound like!"

This is all good, as Aikiweb has truly been a great source in helping me along in my journey in Aikido!

I found something that may be helpful for those who haven't heard these terms pronounced correctly.

You can listen to the pronunciation by clicking the following links.

Michael, please don't think I'm picking on you. But...

Those sound files are all for short sounds, so while the "ko" is good, the "kyu" and "ho" are too short. Not to mention that the three sounds in isolation there do not provide the proper pitch accent of the whole word.

Speaking of pitch accent, kokyu has a high pitch accent on the first syllable and low accent on the rest. Likewise, ho(u) starts high and then drops.

ko......ho
...kyuu...o

Finally, kokyu-ho is written 呼吸法, rather than 呼吸方.

Josh Reyer

The lyf so short, the crafte so longe to lerne,
Th'assay so harde, so sharpe the conquerynge...
- Chaucer

You are definitely correct about that kanji for 'ho.' I tend to get those confused.

Actually, while we are on the subject, is the kanji that I used "a way" in the sense of a direction, and the correct kanji "a way" as in the manner in which something is done? I don't think I've ever had those accurately translated for me.

-Michael
"Through aiki we can feel the mind of the enemy who comes to attack and are thus able to respond immediately." - M. Mochizuki